My point about legalizing drugs (moved from the Zin folder)is that by eliminating the pusher (just like eliminating the bootlegger) you eliminate the profit motive. There's less reason to try to get someone started on drugs if there's not a profit to be made by someone selling those drugs. (Also less reason to steal and commit other crimes to buy those drugs if they are legal and affordable.)

I'm not suggesting having no laws regarding drugs...you would still need laws to prevent driving vehicles while loaded, etc...but to jail someone for decades (and at MY expense) for simply smoking, possessing or growing weed is ridiclous.

And re heavier duty drugs...we're spending billions on a war against them that we aren't winning. Save the money...spend a little of it doing some educating...some rehabilitation...and get the drug gangs off the street by putting them out of business.

Overly simplistic? Perhaps. But it could hardly be a greater failure than what we have going now.

And the really scary part is that government is using the spectre of evil drugs as an excuse to suspend civil rights...as in confiscation of private property without due process or conviction of any crime, with the victim forced to sue for the return of his/her own property even when vindicated of the crime.

And also being used improperly, in my view, by giving law enforcement a profit motive in arresting people by giving them a portion of the spoils...ala percentage of fines and property confiscated.

And now the same sort of "zero tolerance" mentality is being targeted toward wine, beer and spirits. It ain't paranoia when THEY are out to get you.

(For the record I am not now nor have I ever been a druggie or an alcohol abuser...unless you consider a 35 year addiction to tobacco.)